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Functional insoles can reduce foot injuries caused by running. In this paper, ten male volunteers from the Track and Field Department of Guilin University of Electronic Technology were selected as subjects to test the biomechanical characteristics of the foot, such as plantar pressure, impulse, and center line pressure distribution, when using normal insoles and shock-absorbing functional insoles made of latex, ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), and conventional insoles. The results showed that the plantar pressure and impulse were mainly concentrated on the first toe, the middle of the metatarsal, and the lateral part of the heel. After using the shock-absorbing insoles, the average pressure and impulse of the first toe, second to fifth toe, lateral metatarsal, and lateral heel were significantly reduced, while the average pressure intensity and impulse of the medial metatarsal, middle metatarsal, and medial heel were significantly increased; the center line of pressure became longer and straighter, indicating that the running stability was improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insole construction is considered to be related to stability in sports, and custom-made insoles with their scientifically tailored approach and effective construction are considered to be the main means of adjusting posture and reducing risk in sports. We have designed a non-100% full-fit design insole (CDI) with an arch support insole and metatarsal liner to determine whether this insole can be adapted to lower limb kinematics. Eleven healthy volunteers participated in this randomized crossover test in which a motion capture and 3D gait analysis system was used to measure the subjects’ lower limb kinematic data while exercising at different slopes and speeds wearing three different insoles: CDI, control Insole (CI) and arch support insoles (ASI). In addition, the experiments introduced the speed and slope factor, analyzed the extent to which speed slope affects joint angle using UNIANOVA, and compared the performance differences between the three insoles in different planes in pairs. The CDI inhibited ankle dorsiflexion and knee flexion in the sagittal plane; in the frontal plane, CDI reduced knee adduction and hip abduction angles. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between the change in joint angle and the velocity slope. Slope*speed had a greater effect on the ankle and knee joints (%sig>30%). The results show that the CDI has better kinematic adjustability in the ankle and knee joints due to its superior insole design approach. Therefore, wearing the CDI may be an effective way of reducing risks in sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Seagrasses provide a wide range of ecosystem services and are prioritized in conservation planning. Management of this dynamic community requires describing seagrass responses to repeated grazing by dependent herbivores. Using two experimental randomized block designs in Humboldt Bay, California, we tested responses of eelgrass (Zostera marina) to separate and combined effects of simulated Brant Goose (Branta bernicla) grazing (clipping to a uniform height) and fecal pellet addition, and then to medium (MED) and severe (SEV) intensities of simulated Brant flock visitation. In Experiment 1, clipping with fecal addition (FC) stimulated more clonal addition of shoots than controls or clipping and fecal addition alone (standardized β = 0.26 relative to control). The FC treatment also had the largest positive, delayed effect (β = 0.135) on density of flowering shoots. In Experiment 2, the MED intensity treatment had positive effects on shoot density (β = 0.149), rates of leaf extension (β = 0.16), and leaf productivity (β = 0.20). These MED treatment responses resulted in the highest measures of above‐ground (β = 0.099) and below‐ground (β = 0.32) biomass. Whole shoot (βMED = 0.33, βSEV = −0.36) and landscape (βMED = 0.34, βSEV = −0.23) levels of productivity for the MED treatment reflected the parabolic shape predicted by the compensatory regrowth hypothesis, likely because light and nutrient resources were available to the eelgrass and meristems that were not damaged. Meristem injury in the SEV treatment likely explained why productivity was low, but the high SEV resource levels allowed these plants to recover to control levels in approximately eight to 10 weeks after the last treatment applications. The MED level of shoot and landscape productivity would optimize low intertidal accessibility for Brant to the most nutritiously valuable leaves. Brant grazing and detrital pathways of carbon flow are likely linked with Brant‐induced productivity contributing to the detrital pathway when Brant are present and after the birds leave the estuary. The effect of Brant grazing on eelgrass sexual reproduction may increase long‐term resilience of estuarine ecosystems.

Seagrasses provide a wide range of ecosystem services and are prioritized in conservation planning. Management of this dynamic community requires describing seagrass responses to repeated grazing by dependent herbivores. Using two experimental randomized block designs in Humboldt Bay, California, we tested responses of eelgrass (Zostera marina) to separate and combined effects of simulated Brant Goose (Branta bernicla) grazing (clipping to a uniform height) and fecal pellet addition, and then to medium (MED) and severe (SEV) intensities of simulated Brant flock visitation. In Experiment 1, clipping with fecal addition (FC) stimulated more clonal addition of shoots than controls or clipping and fecal addition alone (standardized β = 0.26 relative to control). The FC treatment also had the largest positive, delayed effect (β = 0.135) on density of flowering shoots. In Experiment 2, the MED intensity treatment had positive effects on shoot density (β = 0.149), rates of leaf extension (β = 0.16), and leaf productivity (β = 0.20). These MED treatment responses resulted in the highest measures of above‐ground (β = 0.099) and below‐ground (β = 0.32) biomass. Whole shoot (βMED = 0.33, βSEV = −0.36) and landscape (βMED = 0.34, βSEV = −0.23) levels of productivity for the MED treatment reflected the parabolic shape predicted by the compensatory regrowth hypothesis, likely because light and nutrient resources were available to the eelgrass and meristems that were not damaged. Meristem injury in the SEV treatment likely explained why productivity was low, but the high SEV resource levels allowed these plants to recover to control levels in approximately eight to 10 weeks after the last treatment applications. The MED level of shoot and landscape productivity would optimize low intertidal accessibility for Brant to the most nutritiously valuable leaves. Brant grazing and detrital pathways of carbon flow are likely linked with Brant‐induced productivity contributing to the detrital pathway when Brant are present and after the birds leave the estuary. The effect of Brant grazing on eelgrass sexual reproduction may increase long‐term resilience of estuarine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Wildlife management often involves trade‐offs between protecting species and allowing human activities and development. Ideally, these decisions are guided by scientific studies that quantify the impacts of proposed actions on the environment. However, critical information to assess impacts of proposed activities may be lacking, such as certainty in where actions will take place, which may hinder a robust impact assessment. To address this issue, we present the Development Impacts Analysis (DIA), which employs Monte Carlo simulation modeling to quantify the environmental consequences of proposed development scenarios, while accounting for uncertainty in the exact location of future development. We applied the DIA to five proposed oil leasing management scenarios under a revised management plan for the National Petroleum Reserve—Alaska. For each management scenario with differing levels of proposed development (“alternatives”), oil production pads and roads were randomly simulated in proportion to estimated undiscovered oil and following alternative‐specific restrictions. We assessed habitat displacement for two caribou (Rangifer tarandus) herds, eight shorebird species, and black brant (Branta bernicla) based on reported responses to development, repeating the process 100 times for each alternative. Some habitat loss was reported for each proposed alternative, but the amount of impact varied by alternative and species. One caribou herd and most bird species indicated greatest effects in the alternative with the least restrictions on development and lesser impacts under more protective alternatives. Our results emphasized the importance of considering spatial variation in development effects and species‐specific differences when evaluating management proposals. The DIA quantified potential impacts on a suite of species under proposed management alternatives, while accounting for uncertainty in where development will occur and providing confidence intervals on estimated impacts. This illustrates that uncertainty need not preclude management decisions about establishment of broad land use restrictions prior to submission of project‐level proposals but can instead be explicitly incorporated into decision making. While no single management approach will likely benefit all species, use of tools such as the DIA allows managers to quantify trade‐offs among species and pursue approaches that balance the needs of various taxa and other management objectives.

Wildlife management often involves trade‐offs between protecting species and allowing human activities and development. Ideally, these decisions are guided by scientific studies that quantify the impacts of proposed actions on the environment. However, critical information to assess impacts of proposed activities may be lacking, such as certainty in where actions will take place, which may hinder a robust impact assessment. To address this issue, we present the Development Impacts Analysis (DIA), which employs Monte Carlo simulation modeling to quantify the environmental consequences of proposed development scenarios, while accounting for uncertainty in the exact location of future development. We applied the DIA to five proposed oil leasing management scenarios under a revised management plan for the National Petroleum Reserve—Alaska. For each management scenario with differing levels of proposed development ("alternatives"), oil production pads and roads were randomly simulated in proportion to estimated undiscovered oil and following alternative‐specific restrictions. We assessed habitat displacement for two caribou (Rangifer tarandus) herds, eight shorebird species, and black brant (Branta bernicla) based on reported responses to development, repeating the process 100 times for each alternative. Some habitat loss was reported for each proposed alternative, but the amount of impact varied by alternative and species. One caribou herd and most bird species indicated greatest effects in the alternative with the least restrictions on development and lesser impacts under more protective alternatives. Our results emphasized the importance of considering spatial variation in development effects and species‐specific differences when evaluating management proposals. The DIA quantified potential impacts on a suite of species under proposed management alternatives, while accounting for uncertainty in where development will occur and providing confidence intervals on estimated impacts. This illustrates that uncertainty need not preclude management decisions about establishment of broad land use restrictions prior to submission of project‐level proposals but can instead be explicitly incorporated into decision making. While no single management approach will likely benefit all species, use of tools such as the DIA allows managers to quantify trade‐offs among species and pursue approaches that balance the needs of various taxa and other management objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of PISMO: Journal for Linguistics & Literary Studies / Zeitschrift für Sprach- und Literaturwissenschaft is the property of Bosnian Philological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The wintering period is often a limiting time for waterfowl. To understand the behavioral dynamics of Atlantic brant Branta bernicla hrota wintering along coastal New Jersey, USA, we conducted observations across the full 24-h diel period in an effort to construct an accurate time-budget model for the wintering population. In most behavioral studies, it is only possible to collect diurnal and crepuscular behavior data, forcing the assumption that these data are representative of nocturnal behavior in order to model the full 24-h diel period. We collected behavior data in 5,902 instantaneous observational scans across 4 time periods (morning crepuscular, diurnal, evening crepuscular, and nocturnal) from the third week in October to the third week in February 2009–2010 and 2010–2011. Brant primarily allocated time toward swimming (43.5%), feeding (26.4%), resting (15.4%), and flying (7.7%); these proportions differed significantly across times of day. Brant exhibited decreased flight (4.8% vs. 9.3%) and feeding (22.3% vs. 29.6%) and increased resting behavior (24.4% vs. 10.5%) nocturnally compared with diurnal periods. We further modeled explanatory environmental variables, hunting effects (open vs. closed seasons, locations open vs. closed to hunting), and time of day (diurnal and nocturnal only) on wintering behaviors. Feeding, resting, and swimming behavior presence were most influenced by a predictive model of (Hunt Season × Hunt Location × Period) + (Tide × Period). Flight behavior presence were most influenced by a predictive model of (Hunt Season × Hunt Location × Period) + (Tide × Temperature). There is an interactive effect of hunting pressure and period of day on observed activity; therefore, our results demonstrate that not accounting for nocturnal variation in behavior can lead to biases when extrapolating to energy expenditure models. Additionally, hunting areas proved to be nocturnally valuable because these areas contain valuable energy resources that may be unavailable diurnally, and our observations show that brant will shift their activities around hunting pressures to make use of these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annual survival and recruitment in black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) have declined since the 1990s, yet aerial surveys of the global population have been stable or even increasing over the past decade. We used a combination of a Lincoln estimator based on harvest information and band recoveries, and marked‐unmarked ratios in bag checks in 1 harvest area in Mexico to estimate the number of adults in the population during 1992–2015. We produced weighted means from the 2 kinds of estimates for years in which we had data for both, with weights equal to the inverse of the variance of the individual estimates. We treated the black brant population as consisting of 2 subpopulations. One population consisted of breeding black brant on the Yukon‐Kuskokwim Delta (YKD), Alaska, USA, and the other consisted of Arctic (northern Alaska, western Canada, and eastern Russia) breeders, and nonbreeders and failed breeders from the YKD that underwent molt migration to the Arctic. For the global population estimates, we assessed potential bias due to differential marking and harvest of the 2 subpopulations, which was approximately 1%, probably because band recovery rates were similar for the 2 subpopulations. Population estimates declined from 229,980 (average for 1999–2002) to 161,504 (average for 2012–2015). Population estimates based on estimated harvest were variable but more stable in the later years of the study, when larger numbers of brant hunters were included in the sample. We suggest that the combination of Lincoln estimates and bag check data provides a reasonable and cost effective approach to monitoring the population. © 2018 The Wildlife Society. Mark‐recovery estimates of population size indicate that the black brant population has declined 21–79% between 1999–2002 and 2013–2016, consistent with declines in recruitment and survival. Population declines are inconsistent with the stable or increasing aerial surveys currently used to manage the population, suggesting that these surveys may not be accurately tracking population trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On average, band recovery rates of adult black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans) more than doubled between the 2000s and 2010s. However, the spatial distribution of band recoveries of black brant has not been reported. Our objective was to describe the spatial distribution of band recoveries of black brant since 1990. We found that Alaska, California, and Mexico accounted for ≥89% of band recoveries for black brant released from the Arctic and the Tutakoke River Colony in southwestern Alaska, in each decade studied. Although recovery rates increased in each major harvest region from the 1990s to 2010s, increases were not even. For brant released from the Arctic, the recovery rate in Alaska has gone up 7‐fold, whereas the recovery rate in Mexico has increased 1.3‐fold since the 1990s. For brant banded in the Arctic, the increased recovery rates in Alaska resulted largely from a rise in recoveries from the Izembek Lagoon area. For brant banded at the Tutakoke River Colony, the recovery rate in Alaska increased 4.8‐fold, whereas recovery rates in Mexico increased 1.6‐fold. Despite the reduced relative contribution of Mexico to band recoveries in the 2010s, Bahia San Quintin, Mexico, still contributes more recoveries than any other wintering estuary. Because 57–60% of black brant band recoveries occur at the localities of Izembek Lagoon, Alaska; Humboldt Bay, California; and Bahia San Quintin, it is likely that accurate annual estimates of the black brant population using Lincoln's method could be derived from hunter bag checks at these 3 areas. If population managers are interested in managing harvest rates of black brant, they could focus efforts on the main hunting areas we highlight in this paper. Finally, it is unclear if the recent increases in band recovery rates are the result of increased harvest, a declining population, or both; therefore, we suggest refinement of population monitoring programs and continued monitoring of band recovery rates. © 2018 The Wildlife Society. Band recovery rates of black brant doubled between the 2000s and 2010s; however, we found that, of the major harvest regions, recovery rates have increased most in Alaska and least in Mexico. In aggregate 57–60% of band recoveries are from Izembek Lagoon and Cold Bay, Alaska; Humboldt Bay, California; and Bahia San Quintin, Mexico; therefore, accurate population estimations using Lincoln's estimator could likely be derived from hunter bag checks at these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data processing toolboxes for resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) have provided us with a variety of functions and user friendly graphic user interfaces (GUIs). However, many toolboxes only cover a certain range of functions, and use exclusively designed GUIs. To facilitate data processing and alleviate the burden of manually drawing GUIs, we have developed a versatile and extendable MATLAB-based toolbox, BRANT (BRAinNetome fmri Toolkit), with a wide range of rs-fMRI data processing functions and code-generated GUIs. During the implementation, we have also empowered the toolbox with parallel computing techniques, efficient file handling methods for compressed file format, and one-line scripting. In BRANT, users can find rs-fMRI batch processing functions for preprocessing, brain spontaneous activity analysis, functional connectivity analysis, complex network analysis, statistical analysis, and results visualization, while developers can quickly publish scripts with code-generated GUIs.

Since the initial development of the robust design, this capture‐recapture model structure has been modified to estimate temporary emigration and expanded to include auxiliary information such as band recovery and live resight data using maximum likelihood approaches. These developments have allowed investigators to separately assess individual and group effects on true survival, site fidelity, and temporary emigration. Additionally, recent advances in the BUGS language have allowed researchers to develop increasingly complex, user‐specified models in Bayesian frameworks.The robust design has rarely been implemented in the BUGS language, and previous attempts to parameterize the robust design in BUGS exhibited strong bias in estimates of temporary emigration rates. Given the limitations of current parameterizations of the robust design in Bayesian frameworks, and our research objectives, we have developed a parameterization of the robust design in the BUGS language that produces unbiased estimates of all model parameters.We use this novel model structure to examine lifetime carry‐over effects of environmental conditions during early life on annual breeding probabilities of Pacific black brent Branta bernicla nigricans breeding on the Yukon–Kuskokwim River Delta in Western Alaska. We found that individuals that were more structurally developed as goslings bred at increased rates as adults (β = 0.14, f = 0.94), with no effect on adult survival (β = 0.01, f = 0.62). Additionally, we provide evidence for long‐term declines in apparent survival of breeding adult females at the population level (β = −0.01, f = 0.90).This novel model structure can be easily expanded (Gibson et al., in press) and has important implications for population modelling at broad scales, where we apply it to a declining population of Pacific black brent. Given long‐term declines in gosling growth on the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta, we predict future declines in population trajectories as a result of lifetime carry‐over effects of environmental conditions during growth on adult fecundity and long‐term declines in adult survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data processing toolboxes for resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) have provided us with a variety of functions and user friendly graphic user interfaces (GUIs). However, many toolboxes only cover a certain range of functions, and use exclusively designed GUIs. To facilitate data processing and alleviate the burden of manually drawing GUIs, we have developed a versatile and extendable MATLAB-based toolbox, BRANT (BRAinNetome fmri Toolkit), with a wide range of rs-fMRI data processing functions and code-generated GUIs. During the implementation, we have also empowered the toolbox with parallel computing techniques, efficient file handling methods for compressed file format, and one-line scripting. In BRANT, users can find rs-fMRI batch processing functions for preprocessing, brain spontaneous activity analysis, functional connectivity analysis, complex network analysis, statistical analysis, and results visualization, while developers can quickly publish scripts with code-generated GUIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Accurate estimates of the age composition of populations can inform past reproductive success and future population trajectories. We examined fall age ratios (juveniles:total birds) of black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans; brant) staging at Izembek National Wildlife Refuge near the tip of the Alaska Peninsula, southwest Alaska, USA, 1963 to 2015. We also investigated variation in fall age ratios associated with sampling location, an index of flock size, survey effort, day of season, observer, survey platform (boat‐ or land‐based) and tide stage. We analyzed data using logistic regression models implemented in a Bayesian framework. Mean predicted fall age ratio controlling for survey effort, day of year, and temporal and spatial variation was 0.24 (95% CL = 0.23, 0.25). Overall trend in age ratios was −0.6% per year (95% CL = −1.3%, 0.2%), resulting in an approximate 26% decline in the proportion of juveniles over the study period. We found evidence for variation across a range of variables implying that juveniles are not randomly distributed in space and time within Izembek Lagoon. Age ratios varied by location within the study area and were highly variable among years. They decreased with the number of birds aged (an index of flock size) and increased throughout September before leveling off in early October and declining in late October. Age ratios were similar among tide stages and observers and were lower during boat‐based (offshore) than land‐based (nearshore) surveys. Our results indicate surveys should be conducted annually during early to mid‐October to ensure the entire population is present and available for sampling, and throughout Izembek Lagoon to account for spatiotemporal variation in age ratios. Sampling should include a wide range of flock sizes representative of their distribution and occur in flocks located near and off shore. Further research evaluating the cause of declining age ratios in the fall population is necessary to inform management and predict long‐term population dynamics of brant. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Since the mid 1990s, the number of black brant ( Branta bernicla nigricans; brant) nests on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (YKD), Alaska, USA, the historically predominant breeding area of brant, has declined steadily. This has caused researchers and managers to question if arctic breeding populations can compensate for the reduction in brant nests on the YKD. An important component of the assessment of brant population dynamics is having current estimates of first-year and adult survival. We banded brant at 4 locations in Arctic Alaska and western Canada, and at 1 location in the subarctic, the Tutakoke River (TR) colony on the YKD, 1990-2015. We used joint live and dead mark-recapture models to estimate first-year and adult (≥1 yr old) survival of brant. We also used band recovery rates from a Brownie model to assess temporal trends in band recovery rates of adult brant. First-year survival of brant hatched at TR declined from approximately 0.60 to <0.20 and, although first-year survival generally was higher for goslings marked in the Arctic, their survival declined from approximately 0.70 in the early 1990s to ≤0.45 in the 2010s. Annual survival of adult females decreased from an average of 0.881 (95% CI = 0.877-0.885) to 0.822 (95% CI = 0.815-0.829) at TR and from 0.851 (95% CI = 0.843-0.860) to 0.821 (95% CI = 0.805-0.836) in the Arctic, from 1990 to 2014. Band recovery rates of adults generally were <1.25% until the last several years of study, when they reached ≤3.5%. Although the current harvest rates may be partially additive to natural mortality, we do not believe that harvest is the main influence on the declines in survival. The general decline in survival rates of brant breeding across a large geographic area may be influenced by a reduction in the quality of migration and wintering ground habitats. We suggest an analysis of seasonal survival of brant to test the hypothesis that declining habitat quality on wintering or spring migration areas is reducing survival. Our results suggest that the number of breeding pairs at TR will continue to decline and also brings into question the ability of arctic breeding populations to grow at a rate necessary to offset the declines on the YKD. Researchers should continue to closely monitor survival and harvest rates of brant, and assess methods currently used to monitor their abundance. © 2017 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Gosling body mass can affect first year survival, recruitment, adult body size, and future fecundity of geese, and can serve as an indicator of forage availability and quality on brood-rearing areas. From 2012-2014 we measured body mass of 76 black brant ( Branta bernicla nigricans) and 268 lesser snow goose ( Chen caerulescens caerulescens) goslings of known age on the Colville River Delta (CRD) of northern Alaska to determine if there was evidence of density-dependent declines in gosling growth following recent population increases of those species and sympatric greater white-fronted geese ( Anser albifrons frontalis). We contrasted contemporary body mass of brant goslings and forage biomass in brood-rearing habitats that were shared by all species, with measures obtained on, and near the CRD in the 1990s, prior to the establishment of snow goose nesting colonies in the area. Body mass of brant goslings recaptured between 25 and 32 days of age had not changed over the past 2 decades, despite an influx of snow geese, and increases in populations of brant and white-fronted geese. At 30 days of age, body mass of brant goslings on the CRD was 100-400 g heavier than for brant goslings of the same age on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (YKD), Alaska. Contemporary biomass of grazed Carex subspathacea on CRD brood-rearing areas was comparable to the 1990s and was 2-4 times greater than for the same plant community on the YKD. Historical data on growth of snow goose goslings were not available for the CRD. However, average body mass of 34-day-old snow goose goslings was >230 g heavier than for conspecifics of the same age in the Hudson Bay region. We conclude that the establishment of nesting snow geese on the CRD has not negatively affected brant gosling growth, and that recent population increases of all species have likely not been constrained by forage availability on brood-rearing areas. Barring demographic changes elsewhere in their annual cycles, we predict that goose populations will continue to increase in northern Alaska. However, snow geese are increasing more rapidly than brant in the region. Because the black brant population has periodically been below conservation objectives, the effects of the increasing number of snow geese on forage biomass and growth of brant goslings in northern Alaska should be monitored. © 2017 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack () proposed that clutch size in species with precocial young was determined by nutrients available to females at the time of egg formation; since then others have suggested that regulation of clutch size in these species may be more complex. We tested whether incubation limitation contributes to ultimate constraints on maximal clutch size in Black Brent Geese (Black Brant) Branta bernicla nigricans. Specifically, we investigated the relationship between clutch size and duration of the nesting period (i.e. days between nest initiation and the first pipped egg) and the number of goslings leaving the nest. We used experimental clutch manipulations to assess these questions because they allowed us to create clutches that were larger than the typical maximum of five eggs in this species. We found that the per-capita probability of egg success (i.e. the probability an egg hatched and the gosling left the nest) declined from 0.81 for two-egg clutches to 0.50 for seven-egg clutches. As a result of declining egg success, clutches containing more than five eggs produced, at best, only marginally more offspring. Manipulating clutch size at the beginning of incubation had no effect on the duration of the nesting period, but the nesting period increased with the number of eggs a female laid naturally prior to manipulation, from 25.4 days (95% CI 25.1-25.7) for three-egg clutches to 27.7 days (95% CI 27.3-28.1) for six-egg clutches. This delay in hatching may result in reduced gosling growth rates due to declining forage quality during the brood rearing period. Our results suggest that the strong right truncation of Brent clutches, which results in few clutches greater than five, is partially explained by the declining incubation capacity of females as clutch size increases and a delay in hatching with each additional egg laid. As a result, females laying clutches with more than five eggs would typically gain little fitness benefit above that associated with a five-egg clutch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lack 18:125-128 (1967) proposed that clutch size in precocial species was regulated by nutrients available to females during breeding. Drent and Daan 68:225-252 (1980) proposed the individual optimization hypothesis, whereby individual state determines the optimal combination of breeding date and clutch size. Neither hypothesis accounts for variation in nutrients among females at the end of egg laying, strong right truncations in clutch size distributions, or the fact that many species with precocial young are determinate layers. One solution is that there is a maximum clutch size, above which the number of fledged young declines. We manipulated brood size in Black Brent geese to decouple brood size from maternal quality and produce broods larger than the natural maximum. We recaptured marked goslings to assess variation in prefledging survival as a function of brood size and we estimated relative prefledging survival of goslings using a Bayesian hierarchical approach. We considered effects of natural clutch size, brood size and their interaction on probability that we captured goslings at about 4 weeks of age. Prefledging survival declined with increasing brood size ( $$\hat{\beta }$$ = −0.53; 95% CI −0.91 to −0.16), while laid clutch size had little influence on prefledging survival ( $$\hat{\beta }$$ = −0.04; 95% CI −0.42 to 0.32). Despite declining per capita survival with increasing brood size, the most productive brood size was six goslings, which is greater than the typical maximum clutch size of five. Thus, reduced survival in large broods, by itself, is not the sole mechanism that limits maximum clutch size. We suggest elsewhere that incubation limitation and lower residual reproductive value for females tending larger broods may be other mechanisms limiting maximal clutch size in brent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The studies were carried out in 2000-2007, 2010 and 2012-2014 along the Agapa River from the upper reaches downstream to the mouth, the western part of the central Taimyr Peninsula, and in the vicinities of the Medusa Bay, in the northwestern part of the Taimyr Peninsula. On the off-shore islands, brent geese nest in pairs or in small groups that join the colonies of the Taimyr herring gull ( Larus argentatus taimyrensis). In addition, these geese form their own colonies of several dozens of nests. These colonies are not related to gull colonies even if the latter exist on the same island. Mixed multi-species colonies with the brent goose prevalence are less dense than those where gulls prevail. The gulls that breed near the colonies, where brent geese prevail, place their nests at such distances from the nearest geese nests that are approximately identical to the distances between the nests of brent geese. In the colonies with the prevalence of gulls, brent geese also nest with approximately the same density as gulls, fitting into the colony as a spatially equal element. In the red-breasted geese, in contrast to brent geese, the nesting density does not correspond to that of the gulls. Red-breasted geese behave either as a foreign element within a gull colony and establish their own nests very close to gull nests up to evicting gulls from their places or as outside strangers that breed at some distance from gull colonies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En el complejo lagunar Guerrero Negro-Ojo de Liebre-Exportadora de Sal inverna el 31% de la población de Ganso de collar (Branta bernicla nigricans) que utiliza México (31 000 aves en promedio). Nosotros realizamos censos de punto mensuales (noviembre 2006 a abril 2007) en tres sitios para determinar: (1) los efectos de la época del año y del sitio en la estructura poblacional (grupos de edad) y (2) la relación del nivel de marea con la abundan- cia y la proporción de aves alimentándose. La proporción general de adultos fue de 0.68. Esta proporción fue mayor en invierno que en primavera. Por sitio en LGN y ESSA disminuyó y en LOL se mantuvo constante. El incremento de aves inmaduras entre el invierno y la primavera se relaciona con su partida primaveral tardía. La alimentación del Ganso de collar en LOL (el sitio de mayor abundancia) fue independiente del nivel de marea, lo que se puede relacionar con dos conductas: (1) que las aves se muevan a lo largo de la laguna, para aprovechar el desfase, de hasta cuatro horas en el nivel de marea o (2) que modifiquen sus estrategias de alimentación, para consumir el pasto flotante.The Black Brant is a common inhabitant of the Western Artic American tundra, which migrates to Southern Pacific coasts during the winter season. Approximately, 31 000 birds (31%) constitute the Mexican population of Brants at Guerrero Negro, Ojo de Liebre, and Exportadora de Sal lagoon complex; nevertheless, there is little information about the distribution patterns and zone usage. At Guerrero Negro Lagoon (GNL), Ojo de Liebre Lagoon (OLL, both natural sites), and at Exportadora de Sal (ESSA, artificial site) we determined by monthly censuses (from November 2006 to April 2007, 08:00-16:00h) and observed: (1) season and site effects on population structure (age groups), and (2) the tide level relationship with the abundance and proportion of feeding birds. Within a total of 150 observation hours and 98 birds, our results showed a general 0.68 proportion of adults, that was higher in winter than in spring. The statistics analysis showed no effects by site on the proportion of feeding birds, but we observed a temporal decrease at ESSA and at GNL. In contrast the proportion of feeding birds at OLL was constant. We observed an increase in the juveniles between winter and spring. This increase is related with the differential migration, which mentions that the juveniles are the last to leave the wintering area. In winter the relations of the tide level with the abundance of Brant were: direct at ESSA, inverse at OLL and no relation found at GNL. In spring, no relation was observed in the sites. The proportion of Brants feeding at OLL (the site with the higher abundance) was independent of the tide level. This is related with two possible behaviors of the geese: (1) they can move through the lagoon and take advantage of the tidal lag, which is up to four hours; and (2) they can modify their feeding strategies, more on floating eelgrass (Zostera marina).

This paper updates BBRC's approach to the recording of rare subspecies in Britain. Building on the work of Kehoe (2006), it summarises the history of BBRC's treatment of rare subspecies, reports on developments since 2006, introduces an updated suite of subspecies accounts on the BBRC website (www.bbrc.org.uk) and sets out the Committee's approach to evidence requirements and publication. Also provided is a new list of subspecies considered and some proposed indicative evidence requirements for each. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oil price is an essential exogenous variable in the macroeconomic functionality model of a country, therefore the forecast for this variable is an important assumption in the forecast process. Given that most brands of oil are traded at stock exchange, a fast source of forecasts that has demonstrated its functionality in time are the futures contracts. The futures values for long term positions basically can be interpreted as forecasts of oil prices, which reflect the perception of market participants about future developments in line with the known details about the factors of influence. However, there are many opponents of the use of futures contracts long-term positions as forecasts, arguing that the econometric models provide more plausible forecasts, as they are based on historical developments and reflects the maximal correlation with factors influencing the concerned variable. In this paper it's presented three options for Brent oil price forecasting. It is also examined the idea of using combined forecasts, thus ensuring achievement of prognosis as accurate and which includes all the information possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the findings of a report on non-passarine scarce migrants recorded in Great Britain from 2011 to 2012. Topics covered include the Black Brant Branta bernicla nigricans, the American Wigeon Anas americana, and the Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis. Also discussed are the Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris, Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, and Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata.

ABSTRACT Regional and intraseasonal patterns of food use influence populations through impacts on breeding success, survival, and distribution of individuals. We used both traditional foregut content analysis and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in liver and leg muscle to determine intraseasonal patterns in the diet of Atlantic brant geese ( Branta bernicla hrota) from early winter through spring staging (1 Dec-31 May 2007-2008) along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. Overall, brant diet consisted of macroalgae (52%), salt marsh cordgrass (22%), eelgrass (18%), and terrestrial grass and clover (8%). Mean δ13C and δ15N values differed among these 4 food sources. Therefore, we used an isotope mixing-model (SIAR) to estimate the relative contributions of each source to brant diet among regions and months. Wintering brant in northern and southern regions ate mostly macroalgae throughout the wintering period and ate more salt marsh and terrestrial grasses in spring. Brant in central regions had a more stable diet from December to May. Regional and intraseasonal patterns in brant diet are likely affected by several factors including variation in food source availability and quality due to synergistic effects of long-term annual and intraseasonal changes in abundance of submerged aquatic vegetation. Our estimates of diet combined with information on brant daily energy requirements and forage quality can be used to more accurately determine carrying capacity of wintering brant geese given established population objectives. © 2014 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: Historical sea ice conditions were reconstructed for Izembek Lagoon, Bering Sea, Alaska. This lagoon is a crucial staging area during migration for numerous species of avian migrants and a major eelgrass (Zostera marina) area important to a variety of marine and terrestrial organisms, especially Pacific Flyway black brant geese (Branta bernicla nigricans). Ice cover is a common feature of the lagoon in winter, but appears to be declining, which has implications for eelgrass distribution and abundance, and its use by wildlife. We evaluated ice conditions from a model based on degree days, calibrated to satellite observations, to estimate distribution and long-term trends in ice conditions in Izembek Lagoon. Model results compared favorably with ground observations and 26years of satellite data, allowing ice conditions to be reconstructed back to 1943. Specifically, periods of significant (limited access to eelgrass areas) and severe (almost complete ice coverage of the lagoon) ice conditions could be identified. The number of days of severe ice within a single season ranged from 0 (e.g., 2001) to ≥67 (e.g., 2000). We detected a slight long-term negative trend in ice conditions, superimposed on high inter-annual variability in seasonal aggregate ice conditions. Based on reconstructed ice conditions, the seasonally cumulative number of significant or severe ice days correlated linearly with mean air temperature from January until March. Further, air temperature at Izembek Lagoon was correlated with wind direction, suggesting that ice conditions in Izembek Lagoon were associated with synoptic-scale weather patterns. Methods employed in this analysis may be transferable to other coastal locations in the Arctic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigate the global properties of black brane solutions of a three-parameter Einstein-Maxwell model nonminimally coupled to a scalar with exponential potential. The black brane solutions of this model have recently been investigated because of their relevance for holography and for the AdS/condensed matter correspondence. We classify all the possible regular solutions and show that they exist only for a limited range of values of the parameters and that their asymptotic behavior either breaks hyperscaling invariance or has the form of a domain wall. We also write down some exact solutions in Schwarzschild coordinates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on the bird species observed during the Winter 2012-13 in Connecticut. The season produced reports of 7 Greater White-fronted Geese and six Cackling Geese and Single Brant were found on December 5-13, 2013 at Goodwin Park, Hartford. A Eurasian Green-winged Teal was found on February 6 at Binney Park, Greenwich. American Bittern was an unexpected inland find on December 15, 2013 in Conventry on the Storrs CBC.

Birds employ varying strategies to accommodate the energetic demands of moult, one important example being changes in body mass. To understand better their physiological and ecological significance, we tested three hypotheses concerning body mass dynamics during moult. We studied Black Brant in 2006 and 2007 moulting at three sites in Alaska which varied in food availability, breeding status and whether geese undertook a moult migration. First we predicted that if mass loss during moult were simply the result of inadequate food resources then mass loss would be highest where food was least available. Secondly, we predicted that if mass loss during moult were adaptive, allowing birds to reduce activity during moult, then birds would gain mass prior to moult where feeding conditions allowed and mass loss would be positively related to mass at moult initiation. Thirdly, we predicted that if mass loss during moult were adaptive, allowing birds to regain flight sooner, then across sites and groups, mass at the end of the flightless period would converge on a theoretical optimum, i.e. the mass that permits the earliest possible return to flight. Mass loss was greatest where food was most available and thus our results did not support the prediction that mass loss resulted from inadequate food availability. Mass at moult initiation was positively related to both food availability and mass loss. In addition, among sites and years, variation in mass was high at moult initiation but greatly reduced at the end of the flightless period, appearing to converge. Thus, our results supported multiple predictions that mass loss during moult was adaptive and that the optimal moulting strategy was to gain mass prior to the flightless period, then through behavioural modifications use these body reserves to reduce activity and in so doing also reduce wing loading. Geese that undertook a moult migration initiated moult at the highest mass, indicating that they were more than able to compensate for the energetic cost of the migration. Because Brant frequently change moult sites between years in relation to breeding success, the site-specific variation in body mass dynamics we observed suggests individual plasticity in moult body mass dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated how habitat-specific differences in behavioural patterns affected Brent Goose energetics along a feeding continuum from natural aquatic to inland agricultural habitats. Time-budgets showed that geese using salt-marshes and inland habitats spent more time flying, being aggressive and alert than birds feeding in aquatic areas, and also spent much less time roosting. Frequency of disturbance was found to be higher in terrestrial habitats compared to aquatic habitats. These stress-related behavioural differences between habitats highlight the vulnerability of the species associated with adapting to different food sources. Combining time-budgets with activity-specific BMR-multiplicators showed that activity-based metabolic rates ranged from 1.7 to 2.7 × BMR within habitats exploited by Brent Geese, and emphasized that aquatic areas represent the energetically least expensive foraging habitat for these birds. This is largely the result of habitat-specific variation in time spent flying. These findings underline the importance of measuring habitat-specific behaviour and disturbance when studying avian energetics, and demonstrate the risk of uncritically using allometric relationships between body mass and energy expenditure in energetic studies and impact assessments across different habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interspecific killing dissociated from predation is rare in birds. An instance of this behavior episode in which a male Branta canadensis (Canada Goose) killed a Branta bernicla (Brant) was observed and photographed on Long Island, NY in April 2011. The Canada Goose exhibited aggressive nest-defense behavior that is well known for this species, and we suspect that this aggression combined with the Brant's inability to defend itself due to its smaller size led to this unusual result. The male Canada Goose maintained its attack until the Brant died. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the 64th report of the Colorado Bird Records Committee, about records of the rare bird species discovered in Colorado from March 1992 to February 2012. The report offers important information on the discovery including age, sex, locality, country, and date of sighting. Among the bird species observed include Atlantic Brant, Tufted Duck, and Red-throated Loon.